Cherry tree `Firm Red`

ABSTRACT

Hardy, heat tolerant, vigorous, large upright tree; moderately spreading similar to `Garnet`, the pollen parent. Current mature leaves are large, ovate, acuminate, and acutely pointed, having margins like those of the seed parent `Large Red`. Blooms 4 days after `Garnet` and `Large Red`; has a slightly higher chilling requirement than either; setting well in wet weather with no straggle bloom, for a one-shot harvest. Very large, uncommonly firm fruit has long, medium-thick stems; is exceptionally crack-free, even in wet, rainy weather, setting precedence. Fully matures 5 days after `Giant Red`, 3 days after `Garnet` and `Bing` at Lodi. Flesh is firm, crisp, uniform in maturity and size; having stems shorter than `Large Red` but longer than `Garnet`. Fruit is evenly distributed along the branches throughout tree. Fruit per bud is 1, but mostly 2 and 3. Annually crops are even and stable. Skin color is shiny red maturing to red-black. Flesh is about 40% firmer than `Garnet` and `Bing`, the major mid-season industry standards for firmness. Free-stone fruit has good eating qualities, good flavor, excellent sugar-acid ratio, moderate acidity and solid red skin color. Strongly similar topg,2 `Giant Red` form, with large, prominent, strongly rounded shoulders somewhat compressed in the suture plane; large, circular, deep flaring stem cavity unlike `Garnet`, and less rounded on the ventral surface from base to apex, with the ventral surface being somewhat flatter, with similar prominent, strongly rounded shoulders.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present variety of cherry tree has been denominated varietally as`Firm Red`, however, the fruit produced will be marketed under the TradeMark "Late Garnet". This variety is the outgrowth of a plantbreedingprogram which has been conducted by me on a continuous basissince 1957 in my Experimental Orchard near Lodi, County of San Joaquin,Calif. One part of the program has been to develop new and distinctvarieties of cherries to be grown commercially in the warmer, lowerhumidity, lower chilling earlier production areas, with the tree to haveadequate heat tolerance, fruit that is free of sutures, spurs anddoubles in hotter climates, holding on the tree well without ripeningtoo quickly, fruit that is very large, with very firm flesh, skin thatis adequately thick, short thick stems, high soluble solids, moderateacidity, pleasing sugar/acid ratio, non astringent, non-browning skinand flesh and with adequate disease and insect resistance. The presentvariety has achieved these objectives with the exception that the skinhas a slight suggestion of tannin and a small percentage of sutures inthe hotter climates. All of the above qualities, with the exceptionsnoted, make this selection an excellent candidate for the ultimatecommercialization of the variety. The present cherry tree is embraced bySubclass 37, Plants, of the Plant Patent Office, MANUAL OFCLASSIFICATION.

PRIOR VARIETIES

Among the existing varieties of cherry trees which are known to me arethose mentioned herein; to-wit Prunus mahaleb rootstock (unpatented),`Colt` rootstock (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,059), `Ruby` (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 4,436), `Garnet` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,431), `Bing` (unpatented),`Large Red` (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 08/512,696), `EarlyRed` (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,368) and `Giant Red` (U.S. Plant patentapplication Ser. No. 08/515,923).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present variety, denominated varietally as `Firm Red` relates to adistinct variety of cherry tree originated by me, the fruit of which wasfirst observed by me in 1982 in the seedling block of my experimentalorchard in a cultivated area at the Marvin L Nies Ranch near Lodi,County of San Joaquin, Calif., and was initiated in 1976 by crossing theselected seed parent `Large Red` with the selected pollen parent`Garnet`, which resulted in seeds from the seed parent, which whengerminated and grown, produced some seedlings, one of which was thepresent variety; the location of which in the seedling block wasrecorded in my Breeding Records as Seedling T 6-324-6, and which whengrown to maturity, evidenced novel and distinctive characteristics, andI therefore selected it for asexual reproductions preparatory topatenting and ultimate commercial growing thereof.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Subsequent to the origination of the present variety of cherry tree Iasexually reproduced the selection on Prunus mahaleb rootstock and at alater date on Colt rootstock in my experimental orchard near Lodi,County of San Joaquin, Calif., by budding and grafting, and suchreproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to theoriginal plant at maturity in all respects.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

My first observation of the fruit of this variety was made in 1982 in myexperimental orchard seedling block in Lodi, San Joaquin County, Calif.and what set the present variety apart from the sister seedlings was theshiny dark red color, very large sized fruit, fruit that was even inmaturity when picking ripe, and that was exceptionally firm, hard andcrisp; and on further observation in subsequent years of the seedlingtree and grafted trees, the following traits were observed; the presentvariety was very vigorous, spreading tree with good form, being similarto `Garnet`; leaves that were large on current years mature growth,ovate, acuminate, acutely pointed, margins of the blades coarselycrenate; with the whorl of leaves emanating from spurs of second yearsgrowth smaller and variable in size, generally five (5) per spur-one (1)or two (2) very small leaves with the rest somewhat larger and ofdifferent sizes; with margins on these small leaves finely crenate,sometimes serrate towards the petiole; blooming fourteen (14) days after`Early Red` (patent pending. `Early Garnet` ™), eight (8) days after`Ruby`, five (5) days after `Giant Red`, four (4) days after `Garnet`and two (2) days after `Large Red`; the flesh of the fruit being veryhard and crisp, estimated to be forty percent (40%) firmer than `Bing`and `Garnet` (the industry standards for firmness); a stone that wasfree, separating smoothly from the flesh on reaching full maturity,developing significally darker red, softer flesh on the basal portion ofthe cavity when red ripe; fairly long fruit stems that were generallynot as long as those of `Large Red`, equal to those of `Giant Red`,longer than those of `Ruby`, much longer than those of `Garnet` and verymuch longer than those of `Early Red`; the fruit having red flesh andjuice when the skin was red in color, very very dark red flesh and juicewhen the skin darkened towards a reddish black color. In the knowledgeof the originator, this variety is precedent setting, in that it is thefirst very very firm, hard, crisp cherry that is also highly crackresistant, with less than five (5%) cracks during the historic wetharvest season of 1995; it being commonly acknowledged byhorticulturalists that up to the present time only very soft fleshedcherry varieties, that have not been acceptable in the commercialmarketplace, have exhibited significant crack resistance. The presentvariety is a departure from this traditional observation. All of thepresent firm commercial varieties presently grown are subject to severecracking in most instances in wet weather, and during the historic 1995wet harvesting season, `Bing`, the major commercial variety presentlygrown, sustained from forty percent (40%), in many cases, up to almostone hundred percent (100%) cracks, as compared to `Large Red` and `Ruby`which developed approximately forty percent (40%) cracks, the presentvariety developing less than five percent (5%) cracks, with no mooncracks. At the present time, with the current commercial varieties,there is not only a substantial loss in the value of the fruit that isnot marketed but also the cost of picking and subsequent handling of thecull fruit during the packing operation. The above facts clearlyindicate that in rainy wet years, with trees that are grown in the open,the difference between profit and loss most likely will be dependent onproduction derived from crack resistant varieties; the present varietygenerally being picking ripe fourteen (14) days after `Early Red`, nine(9) days after `Ruby`, five (4) days after `Giant Ruby`, three (3) daysafter `Garnet`, the same time as `Large Red`, and three (3) days before`Bing`. In summary, the major desirable traits of the present varietyare the very very large, shiny, dark red fruit that is uniform in sizeand maturity, good fruit flavor, high soluble solids, moderate acidity,no spurs and doubles and exceedingly firm, hard, crisp fruit that ishighly crack resistant in wet weather. The above qualities allcontribute to make the present variety desirable, not only from aproduction standpoint, but also in the marketplace.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph exhibits clusters of whole fruits positionedto display the form of the fruit, skin color, stem length on arepresentative branch with buds, spurs and leaves, with two (2) detachedfruits that were sectioned--one (1) cut longitudinally showing theventral half, with the dorsal side of the stone showing, the dorsalone-half (1/2) of the fruit showing the smooth stone cavity and thedarkened softer flesh on the dorsal edge adjacent to the cavity, atransverse section showing the apical one-half (1/2), illustrating thecolor and texture of the flesh and with the basal one-half (1/2) of thestone showing.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The botanical details of this new and distinct variety of cherry treewith color definitions (except those in common color terms) referencedto The Wilson Colour Chart I and II, published by The British ColourCouncil-Horticultural Color Chart (1938) are as follows:

Tree:

Size.--Large on Prunus mahaleb and Colt rootstocks.

Vigor.--Very vigorous.

Growth.--Fairly open. Spreading moderately.

Density.--Fairly open.

Form.--Bushy.

Hardiness.--Hardy.

Production.--Crops well in inclement weather. Commercially acceptablecrop levels from year to year.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Color.--Dark brown on younger wood-dull grayish brown on older wood.

Lenticels.--Numerous. Very large. Light brown.

Leaves:

Size.--First years mature growth -- large-average length (25 leaves)14.8 cm -- average width (25 leaves) 6.5 cm. Ratio: width/length 0.44.Leaves emanating from spurs on second years growth -- variable in size-- very small to medium.

Veination.--Large vein centrally oriented from base of blade to apex.Lateral veins oblique towards apex of blade-extending from main centralvein forming a looped configuration near margin. No pigmentation.

Form.--Ovate. Acuminate. Acutely pointed.

Thickness.--Medium.

Color.--Top of leaf -- Spanish green (0/960). Bottom of leaf -- Spanishgreen (0/960/2). Showing little tendency of margins of leaves to rollupward on older wood.

Texture.--Smooth.

Margins.--Crenate.

Petiole.--Thick. Groove on upper side. On current years mature shoots --quite long-four (4) cm to five (5) cm. Light red on upper surface --Currant red (821/3). Small leaves on spurs of second years wood -- nopigmentation. Ratio -- petiolelength/length of blade -- 0.24 (Average 25leaves).

Glands.--Reniform. Compressed. Glabrous. Located on petiole near blade-- some attached to blade. Color -- very light red tinge on uppersurface in the compressed middle portion of the gland. Located generallyadjacent to blade. Number: On the petioles of one year vigorous uprightshoots on large leaves -- predominately two (2) -- very occasionally upto four (4) -- offset opposite -- the size being quite large. On smallerleaves -- much smaller -- one (1)-- occasionally none -- sometimes withan inconspicuous gland on the blade near petiole. On two (2) year shootsthat have very small leaf blades -- generally eglandular. Sometimes onthe somewhat larger blades -- occasionally one (1).

Stipules.--Two (2) -- one (1) on each side of petiole on young leaves.

Flower buds:

Hardiness.--Hardy.

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Conic -- plump.

Flowers:

Date of bloom.--Mar. 12, 1995.

Petals.--Number: Five (5). Size -- medium large -- length 15.0 mm. Width-- 12.0 mm. Color -- pure white. Striated -- shell like appearance. Atmidpoint -- petals touch or are slightly separated from midpoint of thepetal to cup the petal narrows obliquely to form a fairly wideseparation at the attachment point. One prominent notch on the apex --on some two (2) -- occasionally additional smaller notches.

Filament length.--5.0 mm to 13.0 mm.

No. of filaments.--Almost always twenty five (25) to twenty eight (28).

Stigma length.--14.0 mm.

Hypanthium.--Medium. Five (5) sepals -- no red pigmentation. Stronglyreflexed on mature flowers. Very slight reddish tinge on cup.

Blooming period.--Compact -- no straggle bloom.

No. of flowers per bud.--Quite consistently three (3) to four (4).

Flower stalk.--Length 3.9 cm. Color -- Veronese green (660/2).

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Eating ripe -- May 19 1995.

Date of first picking.--May 19, 1995. All fruit picked at one time.

Size.--Very uniform. Large. Average width -- longitudinal plane -- 30mm. Suture plane -- 23.6 mm. Maximum width observed -- 34 mm. Averagesize 75/64" (9Row) -- 29.8 mm.

Form.--Globose. Uniform. Symmetrical in transverse and longitudinalplanes -- Asymmetrical in suture plane. Very large, prominent shouldersat base. Rounded on ventral surface -- strongly rounded on dorsalsurface. Longitudinal plane -- Sides from mid-point towards apex --rounded -- oblique. Some fruit has a strong cleavage on the suture linefrom base to near midpoint -- many times extending to apex -- slightlydepressed at pistil point.

Suture.--Some. Small percentage of the fruit in hotter climates.

Spurs and doubles.--None.

Ventral surface.--Slightly Rounded from base to apex. Slightlycompressed.

Dorsal surface.--Strongly rounded. Wide -- shallow -- very slightlycompressed groove midpoint -- from base to apex.

Stem cavity.--Very prominent -- strongly rounded. Circular. Flaringobliquely upward from stem attachment to the midpoint of the shoulderscreating a cavity that is 4 mm deep when measured in the longitudinalplane. Shoulders somewhat compressed in the sutureplane. The size of theabove referenced fruit -- width 32.4 mm -- longitudinal plane -- length27.0 mm.

Color.--Dark red when fully mature with uniform color over the totalsurface -- Currant Red (821/2) -- progressing to a reddish black onfurther maturity.

Base.--Shoulders very prominent -- very strongly rounded. Stem cavitywide -- large -- deep -- very pronounced.

Apex.--Rounded.

Pistil point.--Apical. An inconspicuous brown abscission point.

Ripening span.--Very even ripening. One picking.

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium.

Tenacity.--Tenacious to flesh.

Tendency to crack.--None in dry weather. Precedent setting crackresistance for a very very firm fruit.

Color.--Mature fruit -- picking ripe -- Currant Red -- (8/21).

Down.--Wanting.

Surface.--Shiny -- glassy appearance.

Flesh:

Color.--Fully mature fruit -- Red -- Currant Red (821/2).

Surface of pit cavity.--Red -- Currant Red (8/21).

Amygdalin.--Wanting.

Texture.--Firm -- fine -- meaty.

Aroma.--Wanting.

Fibres.--Few -- very fine.

Ripens.--Very evenly.

Flavor.--Good at full maturity.

Eating quality.--Good. High soluble solids. Low to moderate acidity.Excellent sugar/acid ratio.

Tendency to crack.--None in dry weather. Two percent (2%) to fivepercent (5%) in very wet weather.

Stone:

Type.--Free.

Size.--Medium large. Average length -- 11.0 mm. Average width -- 7.0 mm.Average breadth 9.0 mm.

Form.--Globose.

Base.--Slightly oblique.

Hilum.--Long. Narrow. Oblong.

Apex.--Pointed.

Sides.--Equal. Symmetrical.

Surface.--Smooth. Ridges forming wide, shallow, furrows one third (1/3)of the distance from hilum towards apex.

Ridges.--Jagged.

Ventral edge.--Flattened. Elliptical. Width -- four (4) mm at midpointof stone. Edge rounded from base to apex, Three (3) prominent ridgesfrom hilum to apex -- one very prominent -- sharp central winged ridgethat extends away from the main contour of the stone near the base two(2) mm. Two (2) smaller sharp lateral ridges form a narrow -- pointedelliptical configuration with the point near apex -- extending atmidpoint away from the central ridge two (2) mm on each side.

Dorsal edge.--Sharp ridge -- starting slightly below hilum to apex.

Color.--Egyptian Buff (407/1).

Form.--Oval. Flattened on ventral side. Strongly rounded on dorsal sidefrom hilum to apex.

Taste.--Seed very bitter.

Viability.--Low.

Amygdalin.--Abundant.

Use: Market. Dessert. Shipping.

Keeping quality: Exceptional.

Resistance to insects and diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Shipping quality: Excellent -- both local and long distance.

Variance in botanical details: Although the new variety of cherrypossesses the described characteristics under the ecological conditionsat Lodi, Calif., in the Northern part of the San Joaquin Valley, it isto be expected some variations in some of these pomologicalcharacteristics may occur when grown in areas with different climaticconditions, different soil types.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of cherry tree, substantially asillustrated and described: a very vigorous, large tree with a tree habitsemi-upright and semi-open, hardy and heat tolerant; leaves large,ovate, acuminate, acutely pointed, with leaf margins coarsely crenate,setting from one (1) to three (3) fruits per fruit bud, the fruit beingvery very large and uniform in size with even distribution of fruit thelength of the branches and throughout the tree, blooming four (4) dayslater than `Garnet` and `Large Red`, indicating a slightly higherchilling requirement than either parent; a moderately heavy bloom, withlarge flowers that have an open appearance; flower cup with a slightreddish tinge with nopigment on the sepals; fairly long, medium thickunpigmented fruit stems that are not as long as the stems of `LargeRed`, the seed parent, but considerably longer than Garnet the pollenparent; fruit firm hard and crisp, shiny red skin color when pickingripe, with a red to reddish black pigmented line from base to apex onthe suture line, skin of the fruit turning dark red at full maturitywith very very dark red flesh and juice; the fruit being very similar inform to `Giant Red`, with very prominent rounded shoulders thataccentuate a circular, deep, flaring stem cavity, being strongly roundedon the dorsal side with a very shallow almost inconspicuous compressedgroove from base to apex, moderately rounded on the ventral side; afairly long medium thick stem that is shorter than that of `Large Red`,the seed parent, but much longer than that of `Garnet`, the pollenparent; the size of the fruit being somewhat larger than the largefruited `Garnet` and `Large Red` varieties, and equal in size to thevery very large size of `Giant Red`; being considerably firmer andharder than `Garnet`, `Large Red` and `Giant Red`, with more firmnessthan any other commercial variety known to the originator; picking ripefive (5) days after `Giant Red`, three (3) days after `Garnet`, the sametiming as `Large Red`; the present variety being the only exceedinglyfirm, hard, crisp fruit, known to the originator, that is almost crackfree in extremely wet weather conditions during harvest; with fewsutures but no spurs or doubles in the hotter Central Valley of NorthernCalifornia.